By: Robert Serreyn

Question? Please explain Baptized for the Dead in 1 Corinthians 15:29?

(1 Corinthians 15:29) Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

Answer:

First of all there were those at the time who DENIED the resurrection, in other words, those that denied the resurrection denied that those who had TRUSTED Jesus Christ ALONE as their saviour would come forth from the grave at the rapture of the church to be forever with the Lord.

(1 Corinthians 15:51,52) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

(1 Thessalonians 4:16,17) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

To make it clear this verse IS NOTsaying that someone can be baptized for another person who has passed away in order for them to be saved. (MORMONS teach Baptisms for the dead),

What 1 Corinthians 15:29 is saying is that if there is no resurrection there is no reason for the continuation of God’s work, to be baptized for the dead means to be commissioned to CONTINUE the work of the one or one’s who have died.

When someone died who was serving the Lord, the ones left behind were ceremoniously baptized and commissioned to continue God’s work.

Water baptism in any form CANNOT save anyone ONLY faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ can save.

When Jesus was on the Cross one of the thieves that was crucified with him said:

(Luke 23:39-43)

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

(40) But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

(41) And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

(42) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

(43) And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

There was NO water baptism involved or ANY ceremony or ritual of ANY KIND.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.

-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8

-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24

–BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9

“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23

IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH